Early reviews from The Verge, MacStories and Engadget find Apple’s M5 Ultra Mac Studio delivers extreme AI and graphics performance. The Verge tested a $12,299 configuration with an M5 Ultra (36-core CPU, 80-core GPU), 256 GB of RAM and 4 TB of storage and called its speed "outrageous." Synthetic CPU tests show roughly a 30 percent gain over a similarly configured M3 Ultra, Geekbench 7 OpenCL saw about a 30 percent uplift, and a heavy GPU rendering test like Cinebench measured a 63 percent increase. Real-world tasks also sprint: The Verge’s Premiere 4K export completed in about 40 seconds and Blender classroom renders finished far faster than typical expectations, while storage throughput was described as exceptionally high. Reviewers note Apple is pitching the M5 Ultra as a "monumental step for AI," and MacStories and other outlets highlight the machine as especially well suited for local AI workflows and demanding 3D and VFX houses. The new Mac Studio begins shipping today, but reviewers warn the top-end configuration’s steep price means it is primarily aimed at AI developers and professional studios rather than typical content creators.
